Hi, my review of RED WHITE & BLUE is up!

Not for the faint of heart this, but if you want something disturbingly engaging about ruined lives, look no further.

To read more, click here: http://www.filmaluation.com/red-white--blue.html

Hi, my review of LA PISCINE is up!

This re-release of the 1969 French pic oozes a sexual frisson too rarely caught on the silver screen.    

To read more, click here: http://www.filmaluation.com/la-piscine.html

Hi, my review of GUILTY OF ROMANCE is up!

Hardworking director Sion Sono doesn’t make it easy for an audience. And why should he? His films are ambitious, edgy and unafraid of depicting violence (Cold Fish) or testing an audience’s stamina (Love Exposure is nearly four hours). 

To read more, click here: http://www.filmaluation.com/guilty-of-romance.html

 I'm a big fan of the director's last - THE FALL.

“What does it do to us, Wally, living in an environment where something as massive as the seasons or winter or cold, don't in any way affect us? I mean, we’re animals after all. I mean... what does that mean? I think that means that instead of living under the sun and the moon and the sky and the stars, we're living in a fantasy world of our own making,” Andre (Andre Gregory).

“Yeah, but I mean, I would never give up my electric blanket, Andre. I mean, because New York is cold in the winter. I mean, our apartment is cold! It's a difficult environment. I mean, our life is tough enough as it is. I'm not looking for ways to get rid of a few things that provide relief and comfort. I mean, on the contrary, I'm looking for more comfort because the world is very abrasive. I mean, I'm trying to protect myself because, really, there's these abrasive beatings to be avoided everywhere you look!” Wally (Wallace Shawn).

“But, Wally, don't you see that comfort can be dangerous? I mean, you like to be comfortable and I like to be comfortable too, but comfort can lull you into a dangerous tranquility,” Andre.

A very special event is happening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in the Southbank Centre, London, this Sunday 2nd October. It is a one off. A 30 year reunion. Of actor and playwright Wallace Shawn, with actor and director Andre Gregory. The talk is to be a celebration and reminiscence, of their seminal film My Dinner with Andre (1981) that the duo wrote and Louis Malle directed. For all intents and purposes it was a two-hander set in a restaurant, where a couple of estranged colleagues and one-time friends meet up. They then have a conversation, which lasts nearly two hours about topics that touch on existentialism, creativity and mortality. Yeah, massive topics! They appear to be playing versions of themselves, and the naturalism on display is remarkable. Three decades on, I cannot wait to hear their thoughts!


For more information, and to book tickets, click here:
http://ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/literature-spoken-word/tickets/andre-gregory-and-wallace-shawn-in-conversation-60941

Hi, my review of ABDUCTION is up!

Using a lot of Apple products (an iMac, two MacBook Pros and an iPad), Nathan discovers he’s adopted. Before being able to process this bombshell, his family is killed by assassins. 

To read more, click here: http://www.filmaluation.com/abduction.html

If it wasn't for director David Fincher's involvement I wouldn't be interested, but this looks compelling.

Hi, my review of DRIVE is up!

This is achingly romantic, unrepentantly violent, and thrilling stylish – surely a contender for the year’s best.

To read more, click here: http://www.filmaluation.com/drive.html

Hi, my feature on the Brian Wilson gig I went to is up!

http://www.filmaluation.com/brian-wilson.html

Hi, my review of SOUL SURFER is up!

“Surfing isn't the most important thing in life. Love is. I've had the chance to embrace more people with one arm than I ever could with two.” Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb)

To read more, click here: http://www.filmaluation.com/soul-surfer.html